London witnesses the conclusion of the first Saudi program for training financial media professionals
concluded The Financial Academy successfully Financial Media ” program in London, UK. The closing ceremony was held in the main hall of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), where the first cohort of participants graduated. This initiative reflects a rapidly accelerating strategic direction towards developing the specialized financial media sector in Saudi Arabia.
General context and development of the Saudi financial sector
Historically, the development of economic media has been linked to the size and growth of financial markets. With the launch of Vision 2030 and the Financial Sector Development Program, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) has witnessed remarkable leaps, becoming one of the largest financial markets globally and regionally. This rapid expansion, which included massive listings and a significant increase in foreign investment, created a gap and a pressing need for specialized financial media equipped with the tools for accurate analysis. This program, the first of its kind locally, is a direct response to this need, aiming to build a cadre of media professionals capable of reading andeconomic data and indicators , and presenting them to the public in a professional manner that balances accuracy and clarity.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The graduation of this cohort is of paramount importance on multiple levels. Locally, the graduates will contribute to raising financial awareness among individual investors and promoting transparency, a cornerstone of any successful financial market. Regionally and internationally, these media professionals will play a pivotal role in conveying an accurate picture of the Saudi economy and its major projects to the world through data and sound analysis, thereby bolstering foreign investor confidence and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading global financial center attracting investment.
Training topics and economic issues
The program focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to address economic issues with a high degree of professionalism. Training modules covered the fundamentals of financial media coverage, macroeconomics, markets and securities, and interpreting company budgets and financial results. The program also addressed vital and influential sectors such as energy and energy transition, given their prominent role in shaping both the local and global economic landscape.
Global field trials
To ensure the integration of theory with practice, the program included field visits to leading international media and financial institutions in London. The tour included visits to Bloomberg and the CME Group to learn about the mechanisms of global financial data flow. Participants also visited the Financial Times to explore the latest advanced editing models and digital transformation in the financial content industry, as well as the Research and Media Group (SRMG) and CNBC to understand how media platforms and visual economic coverage are managed.
Supporting the financial sector system
In this context, Maneh bin Mohammed Al-Khamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy, explained that this program falls within the Academy's ongoing efforts to support the financial sector ecosystem and is an extension of the initiatives announced during the Financial Academy 2025 Forum. Al-Khamsan emphasized that financial media plays a pivotal role in enhancing market efficiency and transparency. He noted that partnerships with leading financial institutions reflect the integration of roles between training and the practical sector, expressing his gratitude to the program's partners, Al-Ahli Financial and Tatimah Financial, for their support in developing media professionals capable of keeping pace with the sector's transformations.
Integrated timeline
The program began with intensive in-person training in Riyadh last January, followed by practical phases and professional visits, culminating in an international tour in London in March. This integrated program aims to prepare a specialized generation of media professionals who can accurately reflect developments in the financial markets, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. It is worth noting that the Financial Academy is an independent legal and administrative entity, organizationally linked to the Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, and aims to develop and enhance human resources across all sectors of the financial industry, including banks, finance, insurance, and the stock market.
